In this work, created on the italian "pedestrian path" raod sign, Aj Roi portrays an unaware bather, captivated by the charm of one who, with her torso out of the water, looks like a beautiful girl... but is actually a man-eater mermaid. The skulls on the seabded leave no doubt about the boy's future, who, stunned by the beauty of the "woman", is going towards his own end.
 
The mermaid is a mythological creature, which lured sailors with its song and charm, making them distracted and then shipwrecked and drowned. Metaphorically, this being represents a pleasure that distracts a man from his duties and goals, leading him (if he falls into temptation) to a miserable end.
 
This painting contains a further meaning: the fact that only the upper part of the mermaid is visible while the tail and human remains are underwater (therefore difficult to see), is a metaphor of how a person, even if attractive and/or well-mannered, may actually have bad intentions, which he hides behind his good looks, fake smiles, flattery and an apparent kindness. Like the tail, (hidden by water) in this masterpiece, so the wickedness (hidden by false manners) in real life, are difficult but not impossible to notice. Lucidity, astuteness and attention can help us catch the subtle signals that something is wrong... but attraction and desire can make us short-sighted in front of the obvious; causing us to ignore or belittle these signals; or even making us lie to ourselves in order to confirm the illusion we want to believe.
 
Whether you want to expose it so that it serves as a warning to always doubt even those who seem to have good intentions; to remind you to maintain focus and self-control and not fall into temptation; or because you simply appreciate its dark humor, it will be a unique piece, which will give a fresh and modern touch to the room where you hang it.

YOU CAN SEE AND BUY "THE DEADLY CHARM OF THE MERMAID" AT THE "PISACANE ARTE" GALLERY IN VIALE MONZA 55, A MILANO